Weary Flynn leads men in Orange

February 24, 2008|TOM NOIE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Ice baths and power naps have become an unforeseen part of the daily routine for Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn. Back when he was a high school star in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Flynn daydreamed about playing college basketball in the Carrier Dome. The sea of orange in the stands. The intense Big East battles. The minutes he might one day play, but certainly not right away, not on a team loaded with veteran guards. Little did Flynn realize what would eventually unfold. The Orange lost Andy Rautins over the summer to a season-ending knee injury. Another guard, Eric Devendorf, shredded his knee in December and also was lost for the season. And when Josh Wright decided he no longer wanted to be part of the program, Flynn stepped into the starring role of running coach Jim Boeheim's team every day in practice, and every night in games. "Never did I dream about playing so many minutes," Flynn said by phone Friday afternoon while preparing for today's sold-out game against No. 21 Notre Dame (2 p.m., CBS) at the Joyce Center. "I never thought I'd think about how much I need a rest. "I try to take care of my body the best I can, but it's been a grind." Flynn, who along with teammate Donte' Greene was named preseason rookie of the year by vote of conference coaches, seldom steps off the floor. He leads the league in minutes played (39.0) for conference games. In the last eight Orange outings, Flynn has played the entire game seven times. He finally received a bit of a break last week against Louisville -- for all of 60 seconds. "It's more of a mental thing you have to push past," said the 6-foot Flynn. "I try not to think, 'Man, I'm tired.' You just have to keep playing." Flynn's numbers reflect that focus. He ranks 10th overall in the Big East in three categories -- points (15.2), free-throw percentage (78.6) and steals (1.59). He ranks third in assists for league games at 5.07. The league's overall leader -- Irish sophomore guard Tory Jackson (6.2) -- awaits Flynn's arrival today. "He's a great finisher," Flynn said of Jackson, who has recorded double-doubles for points and rebounds each of the last two games. "He just always finds a way to get it done." The same can be said of the Orange whenever Boeheim brings his team to town. Syracuse has won five consecutive games in South Bend. The last time the Irish beat the Orange in the Joyce Center -- Jan. 25, 2001 -- Flynn was all of 11 years old and still in grade school. "They're coming in with nothing to lose," Jackson said. "They feel like they can come in and steal one." And get well against a team that prior to last season's wins at Syracuse and in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, always seemed to slip into a spooked shell against the 2-3 Orange zone. Despite depth issues, Syracuse again is long and tall and athletic and can close out quickly on Irish shooters or run big bodies at sophomore power forward Luke Harangody. "They're huge; they're really big," said Irish coach Mike Brey. "Last time I checked, they have more pro prospects or as many as anyone in our league." It's more than just Flynn and Green. Forward Arinze Onuaku, who prefers to let his game talk for him, leads the league in field-goal percentage at 63.5. Paul Harris is right there with Jackson in terms of guard toughness. Rick Jackson, Scoop Jardine and Kristof Ongenaet aren't household names, but guys who could do some damage today if the Irish get uninterested. While the Irish (20-5 overall; 10-3 Big East) look to extend their home win streak to 36 overall, 17 straight in league play and take another step toward one of the four first-round league tournament byes, the Orange needs a win to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes from fading for a second consecutive spring. Syracuse (17-10; 7-7) has lost three of four, and faces a ranked opponent for the third-straight time. With games against Pittsburgh and Marquette still remaining, time may be running short for Flynn and the Orange. Stack the odds against Syracuse, and the Orange might deliver an effort similar to the one offered eight days ago in a win over a Georgetown team that last month demoralized Notre Dame. "We've just kept fighting," Flynn said. "I can't wait to show people (today) that we're a good team."